[somewhat accidental video] -open

[scotch_egg]

[he is on a date. At a restaurant maybe, in a store, walking into or out of a theatre. It is an awkward date from any way you look at it. Either the person is loud, or awkward, or touchy-feely and Alec looks like a mad rabbit ready to bolt at any moment. Whatever moment the camera catches is bound to cause second hand embarrassment.

At some point though during the evening, Alec will find a way to squirrel away from his...other to hiss into the camera:]

Help me.

[though he meant to send it to Anthony, well, that's not how it turns out]

Comments

[hardtoignore]

... You know, I think I kinda needed to hear that. Thanks man.

Well, maybe she'll at least get the hint that it's not doing it for you.

[chenqing_player]

[He laughs at that answer. Without realizing it, making people rethink their life choices and question their sexuality seems to be one of his specialties.]

I did disrupt your date. Hope I didn't throw off any plans you hadn't gotten to yet.

[Another thought hits him, realizing that he hadn't really asked if Alec was even okay with being kissed by a guy before he acted.]

Ah! Since you were on a date with a woman, I don't know if you actually like guys in that way but you don't have to worry about any of this ruining your reputation. I don't kiss and tell.

[scotch_egg]

And with luck I'll never see it again.

[that was a good question. Was he alright? The answer was a complicated one but ultimately]

No.... but I will be... [he gave Anthony a small smile]

Buy you a drink?

[scotch_egg]

Hints and Americans don't seem to go. Oft times you need a bloody two by four. But I'll do my best.

And thank you for stopping in

[serpentinthegarden]

[ The empty bar was given a look... ]

From who? They are all outside waiting for the sprinklers to go off and the firemen to arrive.

What happened anyway?

[scotch_egg]

It's fine. No one cares. It's just... I mean... That-- I should-- do something for you other than just...provide entertainment-- You went out of your way...

[and it's...awkward. He doesn't like having a debt unpaid even if it is for...this]

[hardtoignore]

LOL

Yeah. Just figured I wouldn't want to be left alone when I was in an uncomfortable situation either.

[chenqing_player]

It was no problem. But if you are treating, then I wouldn't turn down a meal. Or dessert if you have already eaten.

[He figures that Alec probably already ate with his date but that doesn't mean he can't enjoy a dessert from one of these fancy shops.]

[scotch_egg]

Not here. Somewhere sane.

And... I don't know what happened. Things just...escalated.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ What standing in the middle of a brightly colored bar with teddy bears hanging from the walls didn't seem sane to you? ]

Yeah, sounds good. Let's get you out of here. Go for a coffee, hot chocolate or...

[ Even if it was early. ]

Glass of wine.

[ He waved Alec over to the door but paused before leaving. ]

Oh, nearly forgot.

[ With a snap of his fingers the sprinklers flicked to life, drenching everything, and in the process automatically calling in the fire patrol. Wanting to be gone before they arrived he then followed Alec out into the street and took a seat on the back of his motorcycle. He wasn't going to leave it there not with the firetrucks on their way here... ]

Up for a short ride if it take it slow? Just... to the next bar.

[scotch_egg]

[he tries not to jump at the sprinklers. God he hates that that is actually a thing now. He doesn't know how he'll be able to get used to it, but like many things Anthony did, he was sure it would come to him with time.

He looks askance at the motorbike]

Fine, you're the one whose going to foot the hospital bill.

[he tentatively gets on behind his cousin]

These things are death traps, you know that.

[scotch_egg]

Hopefully this will be the end of it.

[It likely won't]

[hardtoignore]

I mean, you could also just keep texting people. That should send a "I would rather be doing something else" message if nothing else.

[scotch_egg]

Ah there's a gelato shop somewhere I think.

[he doesn't exactly want to ...linger. Besides which he doesn't know if he can eat anyway]

[scotch_egg]

I'd rather be done with the whole thing, but unfortunately apparently being with someone else is a good sign.

[chenqing_player]

To the gelato shop then! Do we need to find a map?

[Because Wei Wuxian definitely doesn't know where to find anything but he can use the same app that got him here.]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Anthony looked back as Alec climbed onboard and waited for him to settle before kicking the thing into gear. ]

Only fair, since you're buying the drinks.

[ He wasn't taking the hospital bait. What he did do was to take it slow as he peeled out of the parking space. It felt like crawling... Or going backwards... but it was only a short hop over to a café that looked more to Alec's tastes. ]

Easiest things to park in New York though. See? Right out in front!

[ As he spoke he pulled the bike in-between two cars, making them a space where one really shouldn't have been. They fit! This was fine! ]

[hardtoignore]

... What? I think I'm missing some context. What's good about what?

[scotch_egg]

No I think I know where it is. [in the mall thankfully. hands jammed in his pockets he starts to lead the way, though leaving a bit of distance between them] Do you often play knight in shining armor or were you just bored?

[scotch_egg]

Can you please stop doing that. [it was giving him the chills] Or at least if you do it, don't lie about it. We both know what you're doing. It's like you think I'm a moron.

[scotch_egg]

If you're with someone people think you're taking care of since there's this big cultural taboo against dying alone.

[hardtoignore]

Oh. That’s what you mean.

I dunno, if you don’t like the girl then it seems like it would be more of a pain having them around when you’re looking for a place to rest. Just drag a friend along with you instead.

[chenqing_player]

[he follows after, looking up at the shop names as they walk.]

I've had to help people out of sticky situations before but this is definitely the first date wrecking I've ever done.

[He looks over at him again.]

Why were you on such a disaster date?

[serpentinthegarden]

What?

[ Have one of those completely blank and mostly innocent looking snake stares... They were of the same sort he used to favor his mum with in order to earn a cookie before dinner that he wasn't usually allowed to have. ]

Happens like second nature now.

It matter? We got a good spot, no one got hurt... Up for that coffee?

[scotch_egg]

Just don't pretend it's not you doing it. And aye. Coffee sounds good, since something stronger is off the menu.

[he sighs and rubs some errant grit out of the corner of his eye]

Also the next time I mention anything about dating promise me you'll shoot me.